Traumatic Brain Injury and Sleep

These flashcards cover key terminology, definitions, and concepts related to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and its effects on sleep.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Injury caused by blunt or penetrating trauma to the head, affecting brain function.

Congenital Brain Injury

Brain injuries that develop during the womb and are present at birth, often due to genetic defects or maternal exposure to harmful substances.

Acquired Brain Injury

Injury that occurs after birth; can be non-traumatic (e.g. infections or poisoning) or traumatic (e.g. accidents or assault).

Primary Injury

Immediate physical damage that occurs during the traumatic event, such as skull fractures or hematomas.

Secondary Injury

Damage that occurs days to months after the initial trauma, including swelling, inflammation, and tissue necrosis.

Epidural Hemorrhage

Bleeding that occurs between the inner surface of the skull and the dura mater, often due to trauma.

Subdural Hemorrhage

Bleeding that occurs between the dura mater and the arachnoid mater, typically due to acceleration-deceleration injuries.

Cerebral Contusions

Focal areas of brain bruising caused by impact injuries, leading to microhemorrhages and tissue necrosis.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

A standardized tool used to assess consciousness and severity of brain injury, with lower scores indicating greater impairment.

Hypopituitarism

A deficiency in one or more hormones from the pituitary gland, which can lead to sleep-wake disturbances.

Sleep-Wake Disturbances

Common symptoms of TBI that include insomnia, early awakenings, and poor sleep efficiency.

Hypocretin (Orexin) Neurons

Neurons that promote wakefulness, whose loss can occur due to TBI.

Melatonin

A hormone produced by the pineal gland that regulates sleep-wake cycles, secretion can be altered after TBI.

Pro-inflammatory Cytokines

Molecules released in response to brain injury that can affect sleep by increasing NREM sleep.

Chronic Pain

A significant complication in TBI patients, often co-occurring with depression and anxiety.

Neuroinflammation

Activation of immune cells in the brain following TBI, leading to the release of inflammatory substances.